VP’s official residence at DC’s Naval Observatory getting $1.7M security upgrade

VP’s official residence getting security upgrade

Growers say USDA must act soon after judge’s ruling raises questions about US sugar supply

Growers: USDA must act, prevent sugar supply issue

Adult stem cell studies abound for heart, diabetes, MS; far ahead of embryonic research

Adult stem cell research far ahead of embryonic

Last harvest: After 378 years in business, NH family farm is up for sale. Asking price? $3.35M

After 378 years, NH family farm goes up for sale

As interest in homegrown food grows, more companies develop technology for rooftop gardens

More companies create tools for rooftop gardening

Michelle Obama recruits nation’s top chefs to take her calorie-cutting campaign to schoolkids

Michelle Obama calls on top chefs to inspire kids

Detroit nonprofit, Triscuit build new community gardens as part of national urban ag effort

Detroit group, Triscuit partner on urban gardens

Cities where nonprofit Urban Farming, Kraft Foods brand Triscuit plan community gardens

Cities where Urban Farming, Triscuit plan gardens

Study finds Midwest could profit by growing fruit, vegetables to meet demand for local food

Study: Growing more veggies could profit Midwest

Once a leader in manufacturing, the Motor City looks to urban farming to provide jobs, food

Motor City may provide model for urban agriculture

Flowers for Alcatraz: Recreation effort restores Rock gardens to former glory

Restored gardens bloom on the Rock

SAN FRANCISCO — Scoured by wind and steeped in criminal history, Alcatraz has a forbidding face. But look a little closer and you see a gentler side to this old fortress, the gleam of flowers blooming brightly on the island’s rocky slopes.

In British hospitals, come visit your family, but don’t sit on the bed and don’t bring flowers

British hospitals: No sitting allowed

LONDON — Britons trying to cheer up their hospitalized friends and relatives often have to do so standing up; sitting on the bed usually isn’t allowed.

Organic food advocates protest San Francisco’s giveaways of compost to community gardeners

Organic activists protest San Francisco compost

Organic food advocates say San Francisco is giving community gardeners toxic sludge as compost

Claim: San Francisco giving gardeners toxic sludge

Organic farmers seek to bar genetically modified beets, source of about half of US sugar crop

Suit seeks to bar genetically modified sugar beets

Seeds of urban farms sow discord among neighbors, advocates push for laws to allow growing

Urban farmers fight nationwide to sow green biz

Giant trellises will be grown on 18-story federal office building in Portland, Ore.

Portland high-rise to get 250-foot-tall trellises

A brief history of vegetable gardening at the White House, including Michelle Obama’s garden

Vegetable gardening at the White House

A brief history of vegetable gardening at the White House:

Turning swords to plowshares: Iraq veterans find peace in work on San Diego-area organic farm

Veterans find peace working on San Diego-area farm

Details of White House Christmas decorations: from Blue Room to East Room to gingerbread house

Details of White House Christmas decorations